Medical Cards.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2007

Tuesday, 9 October 2007

Questions (188)

John Deasy

Question:

268 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that chiropody services are not available to medical card holders in County Waterford; the discussions she has had with the HSE regarding the provision of uniform chiropody services to medical card holders in all parts of the State; her plans to remedy this anomaly by legislating for specific eligibility of medical card holders for chiropody services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22615/07]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Deputy Mary Harney)

There is no statutory obligation on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide chiropody services to GMS patients; however in practice arrangements have been made in several regions to provide these services. Before the establishment of the HSE the nature of any arrangements for community chiropody services and the level of service provided were a matter for individual health boards and so a degree of variation in practice developed over time. I understand that priority is usually given to certain groups of people, including people who are medical card holders aged 65 years and over. In several regions the service is provided by private chiropodists by arrangement with the HSE.

My Department is currently preparing legislation to clarify and update existing legislation on eligibility for health and personal social services. The Bill will define specific health and personal services more clearly; define who should be eligible for what services; set out clear criteria for eligibility; establish when and in what circumstances charges may be made and provide for an appeals framework.